We are here to teach and support our people in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and related issues such as; Healthy Sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Hepatitis ABC, and co-infections , in a manner that is respectful to our Aboriginal ways of life. We are guided on this mission by the people we help.

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Sexually Transmitted Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs)

What are STBBIs?:

Sexually Transmitted Infections are infections that are spread through sexual contact, they can either be bacterial or viral. You can also get some of these infections through used and dirty needles ( piercing and tattoo parlors or injection drug use). It makes no difference if you are a boy or a girl, gay or straight anyone can get an STI. Some STIs can be treated and cured others can cause fatal health complications. Sexually Transmitted infections often have no symptoms. You can get a STI and not even know it. Years from you can still pass it on to others. The only way to know if you have an STI is to go gets tested.

Bacterial STIs:
The 3 most common Bacterial STIs are:

Gonorrhea

Chlamydia

Syphillis

There are many more Bacterial STIs. Bacterial STI's can be cured with medication.

Gonorrhea

Often no symptoms. Can cause pain in the groin and stomach and you can end up with swollen testicles and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Men could get burning discharge from the penis and women could have green or yellow discharge from the vagina with severe pelvic pain.

Chlamydia

Most people infected with chlamydia will not have symptoms. For those who do have them, they usually appear between 2 days to 2 weeks after contracting the infection, but it can take longer. Chlamydia is typically more serious for female than for male, but Female are also less likely than Male to have symptoms

Chlamydia bacteria can infect the cervix, rectum or the urethra. Sometimes, it can also infect the throat after performing oral sex. Infection can also spread to the eyes by touching an infected area and then touching the eye. In places where treatment is not available, these eye infections can be very serious and can cause blindness.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial STI that is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is generally a very rare STI, but it can cause serious and permanent damage to the body if it is not cured. In some rare cases, particularly where treatment is not available, syphilis infection can cause death. Syphilis infection is very uncommon in Canada, but the number of cases is rising very quickly. From 1997 to 2004 the rate rose 908%, from 0.4 cases per 100,000 people to 3.9 cases per 100,000 people.(1) These cases were mostly among Male who have sex with male.

Viral STBBI's

Herpes Simplex 1(Cold Sore)

Cold sores, which are small and somewhat painful blisters that usually show up on or around a person's lips, are caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). But they don't just show up on the lips. They can sometimes be inside the mouth, on the face, or even inside or on the nose. These places are the most common, but sores can appear anywhere on the body, including the genital area.

Herpes Simplex 2

Itchiness of genitals

Small blisters in the vagina or on the vulva or cervix; on or around the penis or testicles; on or around the anus; or on the thighs or buttocks

Tender lumps on the groin (especially at the time of the first episode)

The first episode may be accompanied by fever or headaches.

Blisters often burst leaving painful sores. These sores may dry up leaving scabbing which may fall off

Painful urination

A slight tingling or burning may be a sign that an active outbreak is coming

(Human Papillomavirus Virus)

HPV infects the body inside and outside:

The human papillomavirus or HPV is one of the most common family of viruses in the world today. HPV is also the world’s most common sexually transmitted infection and is transmitted by skin-to-skin (including sexual) contact. HPV infects cells inside and outside of the body. These include surfaces of the skin, lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, penis, cervix, and anus.

Most people who get HPV don’t have any signs or symptoms and may unknowingly spread the disease. HPV is not related to HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS). However, people with HIV have weakened immune systems and are therefore likely to be infected with various germs, including one or more types of HPV.

Parasitic STBBI's

2 most common Parasitic STBBI's

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, or trich (pronounced “trick”), is a common STI that usually has very few symptoms. It is caused by an infection of microscopic parasites called Trichomonas vaginalis. For females, these parasites may infect the vagina, urethra, bladder or cervix. In males, the infection is usually in the urethra, or under the foreskin of uncircumcised males

Public Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice (also called crab lice or "crabs") are parasitic insects found primarily in the pubic or genital area of humans.

Pubic lice may occasionally be found on other coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Lice found on the head are generally head lice, not pubic lice.

Signs and symptoms of pubic lice include itching in the genital area and visible nits (lice eggs) or crawling lice.

Pubic lice usually spread through sexual contact and are most common in adults. Pubic lice found on children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse. Pubic lice may be spread by close personal contact or contact with articles such as clothing, bed linens, or towels that have been used by an infested person.
Treatment for public lice includes a lice-killing lotion containing 1% permethrin or a mousse containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide. These products are available over-the-counter without a prescription.

Fungal STBBI's

2 most common Fungal STBBI's

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a mild infection of the vagina caused by bacteria. Normally, there are a lot of "good" bacteria and some "bad" bacteria in the vagina. The good types help control the growth of the bad types. In Female with bacterial vaginosis, the balance is upset. There are not enough good bacteria and too many bad bacteria.

Bacterial vaginosis is usually a mild problem that may go away on its own in a few days. But it can lead to more serious problems. So it's a good idea to see your doctor and get treatment